The ACT Government wants the Federal Government to help cover the cost of removing asbestos waste dumped at several locations across Canberra.

Earlier this week asbestos was uncovered during an upgrade of the Lyneham sports fields at Southwell Oval in Canberra's north.

Asbestos irrigation pipes were dug up, and further investigations revealed a wider area of contamination about the size of a cricket oval.

Construction work on the site has been put on hold and the area remains fenced off.

It is the latest in a string of contamination discoveries, including at the site of the new ASIO headquarters, the Molonglo Valley housing development and the East Lake project.

Environment Minister Simon Corbell says he would not be surprised if further sites are discovered as development continues around the city.

"These sites are a consequence of poor practices in the past where building waste was simply tossed into the nearest, most convenient spot as development occurred around the city," he said.

Mr Corbell says the Federal Government should help pay for problems caused under its management.

"That's why the Government is pursuing this issue with the Commonwealth Government, and seeking to enter into an agreement with them to recognise that the pollution has been caused on the Commonwealth's watch and they should make some form of contribution towards dealing with the clean-up," he said.

Questions are also being asked about how the potentially harmful material is being handled when it is uncovered.

WorkSafe says the contaminated waste in Lyneham was found by chance after a worker raised the alarm about another potential asbestos problem.

"Any builders that are dealing with asbestos should have staff that have done awareness training about asbestos, it's one of the legislative requirements," Work Safety Commissioner Mark McCabe said.

"That's one of the things that we'll be testing whether that did happen in this case."

John Miller from the Master Builders Association says they are working with members to increase awareness of asbestos contamination.

"We are constantly, constantly communicating with our membership, as I would expect most other organisations would be, about dealing with it, about training availability, around identification, around handling and what to do and what not to do," he said.